The Hindu : Business : Peru seeks GI protection for Pisco in India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 03, 2006

Business

Business

Peru seeks GI protection for Pisco in India

P. Manoj

First application filed by a foreign country

— File Photo

THREE CHEERS: A waitress offers `pisco sour' (a cocktail made out of pisco, sugar, lemon juice, eggs, shaken ice and drops of Amargo de Angostura) during a public toast on Pisco Sour's National Day in Lima.

BANGALORE: Peru's clear grape brandy Pisco, which has been at the centre of a political and economic dispute between Peru and its southern neighbour Chile, is likely to be marketed in India.

The Government of Peru has filed an application with the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry seeking GI protection in India for its national liquor Pisco, making it the first such application filed by a foreign country after the registry started receiving applications in September 2003.

"The Ambassador of Peru in India, Benjamin Ruiz, has filed a convention country application for Pisco, seeking GI protection in India. The Registry has issued the examination report and the application is an advanced stage of processing,'' V. Natarajan, Assistant Registrar, Geographical Indications Registry functioning under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, told The Hindu.

A product or good can claim protection under GI in another country only after securing protection in the origin country. Pisco has taken GI protection not only in Peru but also in a few Latin American countries.

Peruvians national pride Pisco is a clear, strong, aromatic brandy distilled from fermented black grapes of Quebranta variety with an alcohol content that runs at around 42 degree. Pisco derives its name from the Ica Valley or "Pisco Valley'' and now known as the city of Pisco, 300 km to the south of Peru's capital Lima from where it has been produced since the 16 the Century. Its name also comes from the port town of Pisco from where it has been shipped to markets worldwide. Pisco also denotes a bird in the native quechua Inca language. Pisco has been a part of Peruvian culture for over 400 years and its production has been passed from generation to generation and is a ritual in many families.

But, Peruvians national pride was pricked when Chile claimed a historical legacy to Pisco to promote its own namesake in the global market, particularly the U.S. and Europe.But, the Peruvians rejected this claim.

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